Highlights

Lodging

Dining Options

Start / Finish

Cambria, CA
Solvang, CA

Airport Shuttle

Santa Barbara, CABefore Tour: 8:00am After Tour: 3:00pm My only disappointment? The time sped by & I wish the tour was longer!!!! Thank you so much for
your advice & encouragement - Sean & I are already talking about getting over for your Crater Lake Tour next year!
- Gavin, UK

I have done a Trek Travel Avid cyclist camp, a Carpenter Phinney camp and a Cycling Escapes camp. I can do any cycling camp that appeals to me, and I will do two more Cycling Escapes camps this year.
- Mike Abney - Solvang 2008

The ride support, meals, hotels and logistics are totally sufficient to allow me to focus on the ride, and make it a consistently outstanding trip each time. I especially appreciate that you put tough climbs on most days. No surprise, but by staying focused to these goals, I enjoy being with the riders you attract.
- Bruce Tranen - Solvang 2010

We were both especially impressed with the way you managed to cater for both our unfit selves and superfit Bob and Cathy without making us feel awkward, or them being frustrated. We've recommended Cycling Escapes to several people already.
- Helen & Pete, Scotland

We had a great time in Solvang. It was just what we needed – challenging biking during the day; great company and food at night. I can see myself repeating this trip.
- Mark Cotovsky

I just wanted to say Hello and Thank you to you all for a wonderful week of cycling and support!!! I think we had a great group, excellent weather and a terrific trip!!
- Melanie S, CO

These tours are designed for people that like to ride. Many tour companies only cover 35 - 45 miles per day. There was good ride support and I felt that I was always in good hands. If you like to ride and have an adventurous spirit, I definitely recommend a trip with Cycling Escapes
- Stan, NE

Appreciate all your attention to detail and your magical connection with the weather oracle. It was a challenging and enjoyable trip thanks to your doing!
- Kathy, CA

Thank you, we all enjoyed the trip!
Thanks to your trip I am riding w the faster guys in my tues night ride. I definetly feel stronger on the bike.
-Gordie

As days are getting darker and colder in Portland, I am looking forward to planning my next trip with you guys.
- Davis T, OR

The scenery was fantastic, the roads empty, support wonderful and a group of people who quickly became friends. Will be back.
- John O, AZ

Cycling Escapes has great SAG stops. They really work hard at stocking what each group wants (They ask you what you want prior to the camp).
- Mike A

I've been on several of Cycling Escapes tours. Every one was very well organized, with accurate route sheets, excellent accommodations, great food, etc. The routes chosen were low traffic and smooth pavement. Great support and sag vehicle available for those who needed it. Highly recommended!
- Doug D, CA

The service on the tour was fantastic. Thanks for your support!
- Donna & Bryan, TX

All 3 of my trips with Cycling Escapes have been great!
- Joe, TX

I have participated in two Cycling Escapes tours and both trips were outstanding; challenging but safe routes, spectacular scenery, great support, fine lodging & dining. They are well organized and run a very professional program.
- Alan S

Cycling Big Sur, California Coast & Wine Country

6 Days • 390 Miles • 26,000' Elevation • $2,450.00

Views abound on this cycling vacation of the southern California coast! We love the Big Sur Scenic Byway so much we bike it twice, from the south and then from the north! After basking in the rays of Big Sur sunshine we'll head down the coast through San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. Eventually we will wind our way into the Solvang Wine Country, where we'll loop the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and it's wineries.

Along the
way we'll cycle past lighthouses, sea lions, Hearst Castle, and the
best views on the California coast. Prepare to ride the famous beaches of Big Sur, Moonstone Bay, and Pismo. If you've never seen this section of the Pacific
coastline, then treat yourself to a Bicycle Tour you will not forget!

Day

Weekday

Ride
Day

2017 Cycling Route

Elevation
Gain

Miles

1

Sunday

1

8:00am Shuttle - Santa Barbara

---

---

.

.

...

Wine Country Cruise

3,000'

39

2

Monday

2

Cambria to Big Sur

5,000'

68

3

Tuesday

3

Big Sur to Moonstone Beach

5,000'

70

4

Wednesday

4

Moonstone to Pismo Beach

4,200'

72

5

Thursday

5

Pismo Beach to Solvang

3,800'

70

6

Friday

6

Canyons and Vineyards

4,000'

70

.

...

...

Shuttle to Santa Barbara

---

---

...

.

...

Total

26,000'

390

Scroll Down for 2016 Itinerary

2016 Bike Big Sur & the California Coast

Day 1 - Meet in Santa Barbara, Cruise Wine Country

Our Tour starts in Santa Barbara, where a shuttle will pick you up at 8:00am. From there we will shuttle to the start of our first ride, a shakedown cruise through the wine country of Solvang ending in the town of Los Alamos. After the ride we will shuttle the remaining distance to our first night's hotel in Cambria, California near the start of Big Sur.

After checking in, we'll have a short orientation of the week, make introductions, and answer any questions you have. You'll also have time to visit Hearst Castle if you like, which is only 3 miles from our hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight, with various restaurants within walking distance.

39 miles / 3,000 ft. elevation gain

California Cycling Tour Day 2 - Cambria to Big Sur

This is our favorite coast road ride in the world! Better than Amalfi Italy. The ride along the Big Sur Coast is nothing short of spectacular! Today we ride it from the south. Tomorrow we ride it from the north. That means we do it twice! You'll know the curves of the scenic Byway intimately by the time we are done. Our hotel for the night is the popular Big Sur Lodge. Nestled in the forest cliffside, you'll be able to watch the sun set over the ocean while enjoying a superb dinner at Nepenthe.

67 miles / 5,000 ft. elevation gain

California Cycling Tour Day 3 - Big Sur to Cambria

Views abound as we ride the entire Big Sur coastline to Cambria for the second time! Along the
way we'll pass lighthouses, sea lions, and San Simeon's Hearst Castle. Enjoy the
best views on the California coast. If you have never seen this section of the Pacific
coastline you are in for a treat! After such an epic ride it's only right that we stay on legendary Moonstone Beach in
Cambria. If you still have energy after the ride you may want to visit the famous Hearst Castle which is 3 miles from our hotel.

70 miles / 5,000 ft. elevation gain

California Cycling Tour Day 4 - Moonstone Bay to Pismo Beach

Today we head south along quiet canyon and coastal roads through the seaside
towns of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo and Pismo. We'll ride by the famous Morro
Bay rock and Morro Bay State Park, before turning inland toward San Luis Obispo and
riding through the hills to the seaside resort town of Pismo Beach. Our hotel for night, the Shelter Cove Lodge, sits perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

72 miles / 4,200 ft. elevation gain

California Cycling Tour Day 5 - Pismo Beach to Solvang

Today we leave the coast and head inland toward the wine country of the Santa Ynez
Valley and the danish town of Solvang. Just east of Santa Maria we'll pick up a favorite local ride, Foxen Canyon Road, and glide
past wineries and pastoral hills on our way to Solvang and the Wine Valley Inn, our home
for the night. After the ride we'll go wine tasting at one of our favorite wineries!

70 miles / 3,800 ft. elevation gain

California Cycling Tour Day 6 - Canyons & Vineyards, Solvang

Today we will ride along quiet country roads beside popular wineries as we wind our way around the foothlls of the Solvang Wine Country.

70 miles / 4,000 ft. elevation gain

Shuttle to Santa Barbara, California

After our bike ride on the last day, we say goodbye to our new cycling friends and shuttle to Santa Barbara, where you may wish to stay over the rest of the weekend or catch a connecting flight home. We should arrive in Santa Barbara by 5:00pm.

Meals:

Lunch on ride days is always included. On this Tour 3 group dinners are included and riders are on their own for the remaining, with suggested seating times for those wishing to dine with others. A continental breakfast is always included of Greek yogurt, a selection of natural cereals, Bagels, cream cheese, etc. Hot breakfasts are on your own and require eating early in the Lodges.